TORONTO, Jan. 14 /CNW/ - Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada ("Genworth Financial Canada") and Habitat for Humanity Canada announced today a new three-year relationship, in which Genworth Financial Canada has committed one million dollars to a project called "The Path to Home".

"The Path to Home" will support home building grants, access to educational material and resources and employee volunteer commitments planned throughout each year of the project.

"This new effort will expand our work with Habitat in helping Canadian families become homeowners," said Peter Vukanovich, President and COO of Genworth Financial Canada. "As The Homeownership Company, we are proud to support Habitat's efforts to break the cycle of poverty by building homes for those who need them the most."

"This initiative will become a life changing moment for many of the Canadian families that are in great need of a decent home," said Stewart Hardacre, President and COO of Habitat for Humanity Canada. "Genworth has always been an innovative and forward thinking supporter, continually developing its assistance for Habitat and "The Path to Home" is no different - and through it, they will help us make a positive impact on dozens of families in need across the country."

According to Habitat for Humanity Canada statistics, 1.5 million Canadian families require affordable housing. Genworth Financial Canada will also continue to support Habitat for Humanity Canada through its annual Meaning of Home contest - a writing competition designed to raise awareness among elementary school students on the importance of having a home. The 2009 winners of the Meaning of Home contest will be announced by the end of January.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada:

Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. With the help of over 50,000 volunteers and 73 organizations from coast to coast, their mission is to break the cycle of poverty through affordable housing and the promotion of homeownership.

Additional information about Habitat for Humanity Canada is available at www.habitat.ca.

About Genworth Financial Canada:

Genworth Financial Canada, a subsidiary of Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX:MIC), has been the leading Canadian private residential mortgage insurer since 1995. Known as "The Homeownership Company", it provides default mortgage insurance to Canadian residential mortgage lenders that enables low down payment borrowers to own a home more affordably and stay in their homes during difficult financial times. Genworth Financial Canada combines technological and service excellence with risk management expertise to deliver innovation to the mortgage marketplace. As of September 30, 2009, Genworth MI Canada had $5.2 billion in total assets and $2.6 billion in shareholders' equity. Based in Oakville, Ontario, the Company employs approximately 265 people across Canada.

Additional information about Genworth Financial Canada is available at www.genworth.ca.